Looking into the lectionary - A prayer you'll need this week...

July 7, 2024 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost  Mark 6:1-13 In my career as a minister, I have provided pastoral care to lots of folks. I have visited people who are grieving and suffering and those whose illnesses make the future uncertain. As I travel to visit with these people, I oftentimes doubt myself — how can I help in the face of real trouble? What am I going to say? I get nervous, scared even, at the very real truth that there is nothing I can bring these people that will make them better. Often, there isn’t enough money in the world that can take their pain away. So after I park and before I go in for my visit, I frequently pray. I ask God to give me the words to say and the heart to love, that the Holy Spirit would be with us. In those moments, I am keenly aware of how I have nothing to give but the words of Jesus, the words of the gospel. In our passage today from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus sends the 12 out to call people back to God and to heal the sick. They are equipped with nothing but the authority given to them by Jesus and the words of the gospel. In the process, the disciples help many and, maybe more importantly, grow in their faith. We have learned from the previous chapters in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus has power over everything. He has taught and healed and sent demons out of people. And now we see him in his hometown. Surely he will do great things here! But from the beginning, Jesus’ reception is cold. The crowd doubts him: isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Don’t we know his brothers and sisters? This is no one special! In their doubting, Jesus could do no deed of power. Somehow, faith is required for the miraculous to occur. Afterward, Jesus extends his authority to his disciples. They are to go and do all that Jesus himself has done. He gives them particular instructions on how to do this. They are to take nothing with them except a walking stick: no money, no bag, no extra clothes. They are to arrive in each town with nothing and find someone to stay with. And while they are in that town, they are to stay in one house. Jesus tells them that some will not receive them, so to those towns, they are to leave and shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. Perhaps, like his hometown synagogue, these are towns where the faith required for the work is not present. Jesus is sending the 12 out with nothing so they will rely totally on God. They must rely on the hospitality of strangers rather than on their own resources. They must rely on the power of the Spirit. They have nothing except the words and power of grace and healing that Jesus has given them. There is a sense of urgency in this mission, too. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Thanks to this week's writer Tara Bulger. Order of worship for July 7, 2024, by Tara W. Bulger You be you — Christian ed for children by Joelle Brummit-Yale Hope in the Lord (July 7, 2024) by Letarshia C. Robinson A prayer before a presidential debate by Erin Weber-Johnson and Mieke Vandersall Want the worship resources for June 30, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Bridging the gap: Engaging young adults in faith and social justice The Young Adult Advocacy Conference, hosted in Charlotte this fall, aims to show young people the connection between faith and justice work, both historically and today. — Adrian White Southern Baptists don’t get votes to add ‘only men’ pastors language to constitution Yet, the convention decided to disfellowship a Virginia church that has a woman serving as pastor for children and women. — Adelle M. Banks Exploring Salt Lake City like a local While free time at #GA226 might be limited, don't miss out on these Salt Lake City classics. Utah native Natalily Kyremes-Parks shares her top recommendations. Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair "Here is a writer applying his personal experience, academic training, as well as his doubts and longing against despair, and finding hope." — Andrew Taylor-Troutman A church where wellness meets spirituality With today’s emptier church pews and fuller yoga studios, churches like The Well are attempting to bridge the two worlds for spiritual fulfillment. — RNS Co-moderator candidates speak about racism, climate change, inclusion and more On June 6, 2024, Outlook Editor Teri McDowell Ott sat down with #GA226 co-moderator candidates. Catch the conversation, if you missed it, here. Westminster College’s chaplain named a Pennsylvania trailblazer The Rev. James Mohr II, college chaplain and director of church relations at Westminster College, has been named one of Pennsylvania’s trailblazers in the field of education. Finance and budgeting issues will take center stage when Financial Resources Committee convenes Committee will consider recommendations from MRTI, the Special Offerings Review Task Force, the Presbyterian Foundation, among others. — Emily Enders Odom

Montreat's 2024 Fourth of July Celebration

Join Montreat Conference Center on the Fourth of July!

From our 55th annual parade to big circle mountain dancing, Montreat Conference Center has events planned for everyone throughout the day! We would like to invite you and your loved ones, whether you're local to Montreat or are simply visiting for the holiday, to join us for this summer tradition.

Check out the Fourth of July event schedule

Fourth of July Parade

At 10:30 am, the Fourth of July parade will roll out. This year's theme is Live Together, Play Together, and our 2024 parade marshals are The Stoney Creek Boys. Join us for this celebration that truly captures the essence of American life!  If you are unable to gather with us in person, you can still join in on the fun by watching the parade livestream on our website. Find parade information here

Old Fashioned Games

Beginning at 3:00 pm, Old Fashioned Games, such as the greasy pole climb and hog call competition, will take place on Moore Center Field. Additionally, fun-filled activities for the whole family will be available throughout the afternoon.

Explore other afternoon activities

Big Circle Mountain Dancing

To close out the eventful day, everyone is invited to our Big Circle Mountain Dance! All are welcome, and no prior experience is required.  Please note: The Big Circle Mountain Dance will take place from 7:00-10:00 pm on the Patricia Cornwell Tennis Courts.

Learn more about this Montreat tradition

Don't Miss the Fun! We hope you will join Montreat Conference Center for any or all of the Fourth of July celebration. Additional details and a full event schedule can be found using the link below.

Read full Fourth of July event schedule

WCC News: WCC general secretary preaches in Australia on "Christ our spiritual compass and hope”

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivered a homily in St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, Australia, on 23 June, bringing greetings from the global fellowship and reflecting on “Christ our spiritual compass and hope.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivered a homily in St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, Australia, on 23 June 2024. Photo: Oliver Slewa/NCCA 24 June 2024 Pillay’s message centered on the knowledge that Jesus is with us, in the storms of life, and during rough and tough times. “We are not alone, never alone,” said Pillay. “He is always with us even when it does not feel that way sometimes.” And Jesus poses a question to us in our storms in life: do you still have faith? “We find in Jesus one so close to God, so beloved of God, so trusting of God, as to banish fear and engender courage equal to the elements,” Pillay said. “With Jesus, and through him, we too have access to such faith.” It is not primarily a matter of beliefs, Pillay continued. “No, faith is falling in love with God, trusting God and God’s compassion with our lives and destiny,” he said. “Despite suffering, tragedy, and even death, we affirm with gratitude God’s gift of life, and we work tirelessly to protect, support, and nurture it.” Rough seas will come, and winds will howl, Pillay continued. “As disciples, we huddle in our ships, hoping to make it to shore, with faith not so much in the outcome as in God’s accompaniment,” he said. “Perhaps that is why the symbol of the ecumenical movement is a ship sailing on the waves, guided only by a mast in the shape of a cross, our sails trusting the winds of God’s Spirit.” Jesus is in the boat, Pillay said. “God is with us,” he said. “He is with you right now, right in your storm taking you through.” Our faith is neither arbitrary nor naive, Pillay said. “Nor is our hope some simple-minded optimism,” he continued. “Christ’s triumph over death and his continued presence among us, bringing God’s compassion: that is the basis for a hope we can embrace in ourselves and offer to the world. It changes everything!” The times in which we live test our faith against the elements, Pillay acknowledged. “No litany can fully capture the depth and magnitude of the challenges humankind faces today,” he said.  Our communities of faith become bearers of hope and agents of reconciliation, Pillay said. “We step up and out to be advocates for justice, makers of peace, counsellors of unity, catalysts for creative engagement at all levels,” he said. “This way of life is embodied in the ecumenical Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.” Read a Homily by the WCC General Secretary in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide WCC general secretary addresses 11th Forum of National Council of Churches in Australia (WCC news release, 23 June 2024) Photo gallery: visit of the WCC general secretary to Australia See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, July 1 and Sunday, June 7, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, July 1, 2024 - That doctors and nurses claim and use the skills given to them by God.
• Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - That God would protect our service men and women both home and abroad.
• Wednesday, July 3, 2024 - That we unite as a country to celebrate our national birthday
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 - That Americans celebrate the values on which our nation was founded.
• Friday, July 5, 2024 - That international tensions decrease and all nations learn to live in peace with one another.
• Saturday, July 6, 2024 - That we put aside our self-interest for the sake of our neighbors.
• Sunday, July 7, 2024 - That our church leaders have the strength and faith to stand up for the truth.